Jefferson Nickel

United States · 1989

A standard circulating United States five-cent coin featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Virginia estate, Monticello, on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1989
Denomination: 5 Cents (1/20 of a Dollar)
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 25, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

A standard circulating United States five-cent coin featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Virginia estate, Monticello, on the reverse.

Historical significance

The Jefferson nickel has been minted since 1938, replacing the Buffalo nickel. The design by Felix Schlag was chosen through an open art competition. This modern date represents everyday post-Cold War era American coinage.

Obverse (front)

Features a profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing left, with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' to the left, and 'LIBERTY' alongside the year '1989' to the right. Designed by Felix Schlag.

Reverse (back)

Depicts a frontal view of Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia home. Above is the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', below is 'MONTICELLO', 'FIVE CENTS', and the issuing authority 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'. Designed by Felix Schlag.

Estimated value

$0.05 to $0.25 (face value to minor collector premium in uncirculated grades)

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade (full steps on Monticello columns greatly increase value for uncirculated pieces), striking errors, and pristine surfaces.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS); light contact wear may be present, but overall details remain sharp.

Mintage & rarity

Common; hundreds of millions were minted across the Philadelphia and Denver mints for circulation in 1989.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeiting common modern circulating nickels is extremely rare due to their low face value. Standard weight and diameter verification is usually sufficient.

Notable varieties & errors

Full Steps (FS) designation for specimens showing clearly separated steps on the base of Monticello; various minor die cracks or doubled die errors.

Similar coins

Earlier Jefferson nickels (such as wartime silver nickels from 1942-1945 which contain 35% silver) and other modern U.S. circulating coinage.

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry environment in a non-PVC coin flip or holder. Avoid harsh cleaning agents, polishing, or rubbing to preserve its original surfaces.